Also, check the amenities available, that will run the HOA dues too.Location-wise, check whatever will be easier to rent in the long run.Also, depending on how you're comfortable with sharing your apartment, 2 bed could be a great house-hack.

Work with only people you like/feel comfortable with.

There are still opportunities there but it's getting tougher due to market environment.

I could tell you that Ardmore is super safe but youre looking at $1M+ for a quadplex.If you need help getting in touch with a lender and seeing what you can get qualified for, don't hesitate to reach out.I would recommend NE Philly and Bucks county as they are very close proximity to princetonI would:First get preapproved and then start to target the areas I would be comfortable living in.You might have better luck with Duplexes in the philly area as there are more of them out there.

Lastly, it could be that the bank is going to portfolio your loan at below-market pricing because they want the entire banking relationship (deposits, transaction processing, consumer lending, etc) or simply want the risk (yield).Lots of local and regional banks have been retaining loans at really aggressive pricing recently as the current environment makes this favorable for them.

The one you are most comfortable with.  

I have a comfort level for challenging projects.

The advantage of using a new build, when available, is a first-come-first-served environment instead of the multiple offer pay over list market in resale product.  

My money was leaving the comfort of my bank account.

So part of the question comes down to how comfortable are you being able to hold onto a zero / negative cash flow property.